More than 60 school districts applied for the funding to receive more school resource officers, but only 38 were selected by the general assembly.
“We’re doing everything we can to keep our children safe,” said Superintendent, Randy Smiley.
Florence school district 5 will be adding an extra resource officer for Johnsonville elementary, middle, and high school.
“Our district has three schools, we have one school resource officer and by getting an additional one, we’ve just doubled the number,” said Smiley.
The state legislature set aside $2 million for 38 school districts in South Carolina that needed additional school resource officers but could not afford them.
Florence school district 2, 3, 4, and 5 will get some of this funding.
The funding will go directly to law enforcement agencies to pay the cost of a full-time school resource officer.
“The total cost of a school resource officer, if you include car, body armor and all the training, it’s about $116,000,” said Smiley.
Over the summer, Florence school district 5 upgraded their camera systems at each school, allowing the sheriff’s office to have access at all times. They also include a lockdown system, which means every visitor will have to buzz in before entering a school.
“I think that puts us in a much better place as far as security for children and staff,” said Smiley.
The Florence County Sheriff’s office is currently working to find the appropriate candidate for this position.
